Hometown News • Thursday, August 23, 2012 • Page 7
Community Builders Spotlight Business
By Kathy Detloff On the corner of Cedar and Jackson Streets and extending eight city lots, Village View Apartments has been home to 155 low income elderly or social security disabled people over the years since it was built in 1979. The facility contains twenty-four apartments that currently rent by the month. Residents must be 62 years of age or have a social security disability to qualify. HUD uses a formula to determine the amount of subsidy low income residents will need. Manager Harry Grammond stated that the facility is the perfect size for Grey Eagle since it has nearly always been full but without a long waiting list. Currently one unit is available. The apartments have amenities that include an elevator to the second floor which was added soon after the building’s construction and a new community room with big screen TV, fireplace, and adjoining kitchen. The Great River Regional Library keeps a supply of books and videos in this the room and switches them every two weeks. In addition the facility has a laundry room on each floor, a copy machine for the residents and public restrooms on the first floor, fourteen garages, and raised garden spots in the yard. Other improvements are the automatic door openers and the timed locks for night safety. Many residents enjoy daily coffee together as they
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wait for mail delivery. Fridays are a special treat when Grammond delivers the rolls donated by Coborn’s in Melrose from their day-old supply. The dream for this addition to Grey Eagle began in 1974 when a committee that included Harry Grammond, Donald Kuhn, Robert Pallansch, Fred Bisel, Alfred Luebke, Hugo Kuehne, and Arthur Hinman started the process. Local banker Marion Menge and his wife Elaine donated the first four lots to locate the apartments in this neighborhood which is one of the oldest residential spots in Grey Eagle. The process began with training at the Region V site in Staples. Initially the committee worked with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency but after three years they were sent to work with the Farmers Home Administration (FHA). The project was incorporated in 1978. FHA wanted city water for this project, so that became the push to add this utility throughout the city of Grey Eagle. To show public support for building a low income housing project, the committee was required to raise 2% of the $600,000 price tag. 120 local people donated $100 each to become voting members to make this happen. The original 50 year loan of $513,800 subsidized at 6% interest for three years was paid off in September 2003 and Village View Apartments was debt free. Financially sound, the Grey Eagle Housing Association is able to make repairs and updates on a cash basis. Each a $100,000 project, 14 garages and the new community room were added without borrowing. In addition, the Peterson property was purchased to provide extra parking for the
Art Johnson Contruction Room Additions to full Home Construction
Licensed • Insured Bonded 320-285-5430
Minnesota Through The Lens:
To submit a nature photo for Minnesota Through The Lens, email it in it’s original (large) size to htnews@meltel.net.
residents and for a picnic area. The current organization for the corporation includes a 7 member board of directors and an annual meeting. At each of these meetings two or three board members are elected from the membership which includes the original 120 or
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One Apartment Available!
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their heirs. New members may join by making a $25 donation. The facility enjoys wonderful support from Todd County Public Health and Social Services with additional help Village View continued to pg 9
Echo Dealer
216 W. Main St., Freeport
Grey Eagle, MN
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For Details...
Garages When Available • No Shovelling Controlled Access Entrance Door Locks Heat & Cable Included • Plus More!
Call Harry Grammond, Village View Apartments 1-320-285-3973 or 1-320-285-2752 (H)
Village View Apartments are a Section 8 subsidized project for low income elderly and the disabled.
Equal Housing Opportunity